10 Qualities you must have for Effective Parenting

Effective parenting is difficult. Parenting can be a source of enormous pleasure for a lifetime, but it is also a very time consuming and demanding job. In addition to fulfilling the basic physical needs, parents need to foster intellectual, emotional and social development. Just like every child, every parent is different but there are certain qualities that can help them turn their children into responsible citizens.

Here are 11 qualities important for Effective Parenting

Love – Keeping a child cherished with love is the most important quality of effective parenting. It is being recommended to spend much possible time with your child and get engaged in what he or she is doing. Show affection through appreciation, warm words, hugs and smiles. Even when they are wrong or need to be corrected, teach them by your love and support. Avoid negative comments like ‘you are bad’ or ‘you cannot do this’ or ‘you are incapable.’

Effective teacher – Effective parents teach their children either directly or indirectly. Reading a book is not always required. Set examples by doing things yourself or give them a real exposure. Instead of making your children learn about animals through a book, show them on television or take them to a zoo. Set clear rules and follow them, foster good behavior and make rules for unacceptable behavior. Encourage the habit of reading books as children who develop a habit of reading books at an early age, tend to have a good vocabulary.

Flexibility – Having clear standards does not mean being harsh or rigid. As a child is growing up, his needs and behavior changes. Hence, parents need to modify their rewards and punishments accordingly. For example, you can punish your child for not doing his homework by not allowing him to eat chocolates when he is in preschool, but this will not work as he grows up.

Self-acceptance – One can never be a completely perfect parent, but if you can set good examples most of the time, then that is sufficient. Just follow your instinct as you cannot keep full control of your child’s external environment.

What you do matters – Most of the learning of the children takes place by following what their parents do. So you should be careful about your negative behavior. Practice whatever you want to preach them.

Be involved in your child’s life – Being an involved parent in your child’s life is a tough phase and it takes time. Also, it often demands to recognize your priorities. It may be referred as sacrificing your own interests.

Foster independence – Setting up certain limits help your child in developing a sense of self-control. Encouraging their independence and engaging them in simple household activities also help.

Be consistent – If your rules vary regularly in an unpredictable fashion, then the misbehavior of your child is your own fault. As much as your authority is based on logic and wisdom, lesser are the chances of your child questioning about it.

Avoid harsh discipline – Parents should never hit their children, as they are more likely to develop sense of picking up fights with other children, classmates and siblings. Probably, they can become bullies and often use aggression to solve disputes with others.

Treat your child with respect – The best way to get respectful treatment from your children is to treat them respectfully. Talk to them in a polite manner, respect their opinion and pay attention when they are saying something. Your relationship with your child is the foundation of his or her behavior with others.